Score! Book

Famous conductor Ranaldini (a man so ostentatiously wicked he might as well be wearing a hat with 'Villain' on it) is making a film of Verdi's opera 'Don Carlos', with his godson Tristan as director. Ranaldini is soon joyously trying to make everyone hate him, and succceeding. Soon all cast members and film crew are busy having affairs with each other, falling in love, out of love etc. Tabitha Campbell Black manages to be in love with four different men in succession in the course of the book, before they've even finished making the film. halfway through the book someone is murdered (no prizes for guessing who), and a mass of detectives descend on the film set, adding further confusion to the already overloaded cast of characters. Somewhat unnecessary too, since the identity of the murderer is fairly obvious. As is the explanation for the other 'mystery' that of tristan's parentage.

This book has far too many characters, and very few who are at all likeable. Characters from earlier books have their personalities changed with no convicning explanation. helen, who was quite a nice person, if a bit uptight, in Riders, has by the time we get to Score , been transformed into an egotistical monster with no interest in anyone other than herself. And I flatly refuse to believe in rupert Campbell black as a devoted faithful husband. isa lovell remains an enigma, with no satisfactory explanation given as to his motives for doing anything. As for Lucy, she is so dull i simply can't believe in anyone falling in love with her. This book makes 'Riders' look like 'War and peace' by comparison.